I Became a Veteran Heroine in a Harem Story

“There were some variables in the middle, but.”

In my dormitory room, alone, I put down the chalk after finishing writing on a blackboard hung on one wall. What I had written on the blackboard was a kind of roadmap of what I needed to achieve going forward.

‘So the first goal is to become the year representative after all?’

Not even a month since admission, there were many things that bothered me and caught my attention—the protagonist Erich, Lunara and other heroines, the status window, the duel over the initiation ceremony, and so on—but anyway, my goal from the beginning until now had been just one.

It was to walk the path of success and reach the pinnacle of this world.

However, I can’t overturn everything. Since my ultimate goal is to resolve the regrets from my first possession where I only fought and couldn’t do anything else, I needed to keep this world’s social system intact and rise within it.

Conveniently, this world is in a period of chaos where advancement is sufficiently possible through strength alone. And surprisingly, that advancement commonly begins here at the academy.

Elites stand out from the start wherever they go.

‘It shouldn’t be too difficult.’

The first step is to become the year representative who represents the grade. Since it can only be achieved by becoming the strongest in the grade, I coveted that title.

As the first stepping stone for my goal, I was determined to crush any competitor.

Of course, practically, there was only one person in the grade who could be my competitor, and I frowned at the fact that I would inevitably have to be entangled with ‘that’ person again.

“There’s an announcement today, we’ll soon be selecting student guidance squad leaders.”

Indeed, as soon as the instructor saw the students’ faces again after the weekend ended, he brought up that topic.

“Student guidance squad leaders will take over some of the instructor’s authority to manage and supervise fellow students. If you can gain such experience early, it will be a great help when you graduate from the academy and are assigned to various parts of the kingdom.”

The instructor grinned and provoked us by asking if we wanted to do it. In fact, objectively speaking, it was a position anyone would want.

Although student guidance squad leaders have to perform duties in addition to harsh training, they also receive numerous bonus points. They get allowances, can report and punish peers who violate regulations, and have the privilege to use certain facilities with priority.

It’s literally an armband of authority. In this place composed of strict hierarchies and ranks, it wouldn’t be easy to dislike that armband symbolizing authority and power.

“That’s not all. Among the student guidance squad leaders, outstanding individuals can enter the year council and actively participate in student council activities. Many of you probably know that student council experience is included in your future career.”

The benefits didn’t end there. The student council mentioned by the instructor is an organization with strong power even within the academy.

They are truly an elite few, receiving treatment equal to active magic knights when they go into the field.

“But, can just anyone become one?”

And as the students began to covet the position of student guidance squad leader as the instructor intended, he revealed his true colors. His fixing of his sunglasses and grinning suggested he found our reactions extremely amusing.

“Anyone can apply. But not everyone can do it. As per the academy’s absolute rule, only those with ability can get what they want.”

“Wh-what if the number of applicants exceeds the demand, how will selection be made?”

“One-on-one duels, identical to the entrance exam. Since there’s no distinction by department, it’s possible that some departments might not have squad leaders.”

To a student’s question, the instructor mentioned dueling as if it were obvious.

At the same time, everyone’s eyes widened, and some turned to look at me. Instructor Dmish did the same.

The content of the duel that took place over the weekend has long spread throughout the academy.

“Those who want to participate in the squad leader selection should submit an application. I’ve said it before, the challenge itself is valuable. Not challenging in such an opportunity is more foolish than challenging and being defeated.”

The instructor distributed applications to us. I naturally started filling out the application as soon as I received it.

‘The year representative position goes to the strongest person among the squad leaders. It’s obviously going to be annoying to have to do various things, but if it’s for building credentials, I should do what needs to be done.’

It’s just the first step of the first step. Because of this, I submitted my application to the instructor first, as everyone expected.

Though I couldn’t see his eyes because of the sunglasses, I could read the instructor’s expression. It was roughly a face that said ‘I knew it.’

‘Come to think of it, in the original work, the year representative was Erich.’

Erich wasn’t the type to hide his strength. Though he didn’t go around showing off unnecessarily, perhaps thinking it meaningless to boast of strength to academy students, he was a person with pride in his skills, accumulated through two lives.

* * *

“Hmm, the enthusiasm is indeed hot. Everyone’s young and impetuous. Isn’t that youthful spirit better than being cautious and calculating?”

“It was unexpected. I thought it would be less so because of this incident.”

Late afternoon, after the day’s schedule ended, Dmish, reporting to the year head with the applications received from students, smiled bitterly at the satisfied appearance of the year head.

“One squad leader manages four to five students. Considering the number of freshmen this year, there are many squad leader positions. So there are plenty of opportunities.”

“Do those three people really need to be evaluated too?”

“It won’t take long anyway. Proceed according to regulations.”

The two men were already certain. The fact that three people among those who submitted applications would definitely pass.

They were individuals who had achieved feats incomparable to the cute duels that would be held among freshmen. It didn’t make sense for them to fail the mere squad leader test.

“For the year representative, is it her after all? How was it? Did you sense ambition?”

“Yes. Very strongly.”

At the year head’s words, who had changed the topic, Dmish nodded.

Following the squad leader positions, they were also confident about the year representative, who would be chosen as the strongest. It was difficult to have a different opinion if one had seen ‘that video.’

‘Though she appears indifferent and nonchalant as if she knows everything in the world, she’s clearly a person with a desire for advancement.’

Dmish evaluated her as a person with quite strong ambition based on what he had directly observed.

In fact, it was confidence closer to certainty, and Kiina clearly intended to use it. Then, from an instructor’s perspective, that was actually good.

Because people with enthusiasm for something are easier to manage.

“Although I emphasized challenges, it’s not desirable to have a spate of injuries from inefficient combat. As an exception for this selection test only, we’ll introduce preemptive surrender.”

“I’ll do that.”

With that, the year head showed appropriate flexibility. It meant to avoid getting hurt by forcibly charging at overwhelming opponents, and to filter appropriately to maintain combat power.

“Therefore, before the duel, if you want to avoid confronting your opponent, surrender preemptively. Today, we’ll replace the regular schedule with the selection test.”

Following the year head’s instructions, Dmish announced the regulations and set a date to promote the student guidance squad leader selection test.

The students, who until just last week were running until they collapsed exhausted, who until yesterday were practicing basic spear techniques holding model spears, would now compete one-on-one against each other here today.

‘Preemptive surrender, I can guess why a regulation that wasn’t in the plans was suddenly added.’

Kiina, who was practically one of them, gave a wry laugh. Everyone knew for whom the regulation instructed by the year head was created.

“I-I surrender!”

“I surrender.”

“I surrender!”

As her opponents were terrified and surrendered, Kiina rose to become the strongest in spear arts class 1, running a perfect winning streak without even breaking a sweat.

And each time, she put down her spear with an expression that suggested she was disappointed.

“Why that expression? As if you’re regretful.”

“No. I’ve been expecting this since the moment the surrender regulation was created.”

“Tsk, you’re so assertive, I have nothing to say.”

Dmish tried to joke with her, who had made it into the final three among his class 1 students, but the returning answer was extremely cold.

It’s a calm answer that, if heard objectively, would be considered incredibly arrogant and presumptuous.

‘How could anyone win against someone who single-handedly knocked down 20 second-year students?’

‘Thank you, Year Head.’

However, neither Dmish nor anyone else, including the surrounding students, thought she was presumptuous. If she hadn’t achieved anything, it would be different, but now she had proven herself.

“She’s so cool…”

“She’ll definitely become, no, she will be the year representative, right? Then does our spear arts department become the strongest department?”

Rather, the gazes upon her now transcended into the realm of admiration and fear.

Those captivated by her strength began to notice and be conscious of her every move, while those who felt fear genuinely wanted to be cautious and avoid her.